The middle-aged kindheart wished customers a merry Christmas as he dropped envelopes containing the cash in their baskets, before vanishing.

When gobsmacked shoppers opened their ­envelope they found a £50 note and a printed letter saying: “I have recently been fortunate enough to have come into quite a lot of ­money – more than I need for myself and my ­family.

“I hope this enables you to have a little extra cheer this ­Christmas.

“You do not have to do anything other than spend the money – and it is real, there is no trick, no hidden cameras. Just have a happy Christmas.”

Among the recipients at a Tesco store in Sampford ­Peverell, Devon were a couple of cautious pensioners who had the note checked at their bank to make sure it was genuine.

The wife, in her 70s, said: “It’s not just about the money, it made us feel there are people out there who are genuinely selfless.”